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Suicide prevention walk returns to Rio

Gallipolis Daily Tribune - 2/23/2020

Feb. 23--RIO GRANDE -- At the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College, raising awareness and educating the community about mental health is an important cause, and for the fourth year in a row, a walk is being planned to encourage the community to come together to recognize the challenges of those facing depression and suicidal thoughts.

The Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk is a key event in which the institution's Office of Accessibility and Mental Health Services supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's local and national education and advocacy programs. In the past three years, more than $40,000 dollars have been raised for the AFSP organization, and this year organizers are hopeful the community will continue to remember those lives that have been lost to suicide by supporting the event.

"These walks are about turning hope into action," said AFSP CEO Robert Gebbia. "The research has shown us how to fight suicide, and if we keep up the fight, the science is only going to get better and our culture will get smarter about mental health. With the efforts of our courageous volunteers, and a real investment from our nation's leaders, we hope to significantly reduce the suicide rate in the United States."

Beginning with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, the Bob Evans Farms Hall parking lot will be the hub for the event. Other events slated to take place before the walk include a balloon release, face painting, food and prize drawing.

Those interested can pre-register online by noon on Friday, April 17. Day of registration is at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Bob Evans Farm Hall.

Special education families fear that children will not receive enough help during a prolonged school delay due to the coronavirus pandemic

Plunge more than just special

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)

Learn more about Mary Ellen Copeland's Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP),
the format for organizing wellness tools into action plans in order to deal with Life's challenges, especially those related to mental illness.